Misquoting Jesus with Bart Ehrman Were Early Christians Known to Be Moral Reprobates?
May 28, 2024
Exploring the contrasting views of early Christians as moral reprobates instead of community pillars, ancient rumors about Christians engaging in disturbing practices, early Christian responses to persecution emphasizing moral superiority, the differences between early Christian and worldly altruism, and the historical account of Sarappian's conflict over the gospel of Peter.
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Christians Viewed as Moral Threats
- Early Christians were widely seen as deviants and threats to society in the Roman Empire.
- Their refusal to worship state gods caused suspicion and accusations of immoral behavior.
Rumors About Christian Rites
- Rumors portrayed Christian meetings as secretive and morally corrupt, including false claims of immoral acts.
- Such misunderstandings arose from their secret gatherings and symbolic rituals like the agape feast.
Christianity's Unique Suspicion
- Most mystery cults were open and accepted, unlike Christians who were secretive and exclusive.
- Christianity's insistence on monotheism set it apart and increased social suspicion.